Overview

Selenium deficiency is a condition characterised by insufficient levels of the essential mineral selenium in the body. It can result from poor dietary intake, soil deficiencies, or impaired absorption. Selenium is crucial for various bodily functions, including antioxidant defence, thyroid hormone production, and immune system support. Deficiency may lead to health issues such as weakened immunity and thyroid dysfunction.

Selenium is a trace mineral that occurs naturally in soil, some foods high in selenium, and even in minute levels in water. For maximum health, humans and many other creatures need trace quantities regularly. Its function as an antioxidant largely accounts for its beneficial effects on the organism.

The advantages of selenium include preventing oxidative stress, cancer, heart disease, and heart disease; strengthening immunity; controlling thyroid function; delaying cognitive decline; and increasing fertility.

Selenium is necessary for synthesising selenocysteine and selenoproteins and manufacturing enzymes and catalysts that activate thyroid hormone and antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase. Selenoproteins have a variety of roles in your body, including your heart, brain, and metabolism. Low intake impairs thyroid hormone production and the immune system's ability to fight off infections and viruses.

Causes of Selenium Deficiency

It is believed that up to 1 billion individuals globally suffer from inadequate consumption of selenium. According to predictions, future climate change will also raise the risk of selenium insufficiency. Due to variables such as genetics, medical history, skin type, and selenium absorption capacity, certain populations are more prone than others to have selenium deficiencies.

- Low levels of selenium in the soil: Because of variables such as rainfall, evaporation, and pH levels, the quantity of selenium in the soil varies greatly depending on the region.
- Low consumption of dietary sources: Selenium levels in food can vary greatly even within the same item since the quantity of selenium in food is mostly determined by the soil conditions in which it developed. This indicates that crops cultivated in certain areas have greater quantities of selenium than those grown elsewhere.

[caption id="attachment_23232" align="alignnone" width="902"] Foods rich in Selenium[/caption]

- Health issues that impact Selenium Levels: A persistent bone illness called Kashin-Beck disease is linked to deficiency. Low selenium levels can also be associated with living with HIV and receiving renal dialysis. Additionally, digestive illnesses such as colitis or Crohn's disease might reduce levels.

Symptoms of Selenium Deficiency

Symptoms of a selenium shortage that are most prevalent include

- Reproductive problems
- Weakened muscles
- Tiredness
- Confusion in the brain
- Thyroid issues.
- Problems relating to mood, such as angry actions, anxiety, and low mood
- Hair reduction
- Brittle, weak nails
- Vulnerability resulting from diseases because of a compromised immune system
- Bewilderment and cognitive alterations

Low selenium status is also associated with a higher risk of several health issues, such as infertility, poor immunological function, inflammation-related mortality, cognitive decline, and maybe several malignancies and cardiovascular illnesses.

Treatment Options for Selenium Deficiency

According to popular belief, the likelihood of developing a selenium deficiency is minimal if you regularly include natural food sources of selenium in your diet and are otherwise in good health. This is because experts rarely find deficiencies in populations that are generally not malnourished or who have weakened immune systems.

- Consume Selenium-Rich Foods: Top foods high in selenium to include in your diet are eggs, liver, cod and other fish, sunflower and chia seeds, chicken, Brazil nuts, eggs, barley, and mushrooms. Selenium may be damaged during processing and extremely high-heat cooking methods. The greatest sources of selenium are whole foods, especially when handled and cooked carefully.
- Selenium Supplements: Supplemental vitamin forms, such as several multivitamins, include selenium. The recommended daily intake for adults is up to 55 micrograms (mcg). At the same time, pregnant and lactating women can take up to 60 mcg and 70 mcg, respectively, in the form of selenomethionine or selenite. Although the usual recommendation is 55 mcg/day, other experts feel the target dose for individuals using supplements should be closer to 70 to 90 mcg/day. Plant food contains organic selenium in the form of selenomethionine, shown in experiments to have a very high bioavailability. Additionally accessible in inorganic forms that are equally highly bioavailable are selenite and selenium.
- Monitoring: Regular monitoring of selenium levels to adjust treatment as needed.
- Addressing Underlying Causes: Identifying and addressing any underlying conditions contributing to selenium deficiency, such as malabsorption disorders.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Selenium deficiency is uncommon, but ensuring you're receiving enough and absorbing it correctly is vital. Work with a trained healthcare provider to rule out other potential reasons for your symptoms if you suspect you may be deficient in selenium.

Reference

- https://www.healthline.com/health/selenium-deficiency
- https://betteryou.com/blogs/conditions/selenium-deficiency-symptoms-causes